Comparative assessment of the stability of buccal shelf mini-screws with and without pre-drilling- a split-mouth, randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To examine and compare the stability of buccal shelf mini-screws using self-drilling and pre-drilling implant placement techniques.

Methodology: It was a split-mouth, randomized controlled trial comprising of 7 patients, each receiving two buccal shelf bone screws. The screws were placed using a self-drilling protocol in one quadrant and a pre-drilling protocol in the opposing quadrant decided via coin toss randomization. Stability was examined at the time of placement and 1,2, 3 and 4 months thereafter, using the Resonance Frequency Analysis method with the Osstell Beacon ^TM device. The Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) obtained was then compared and assessed between both quadrants. Friedman's Two-Way Analysis of Variance and the Wilcoxon signed rank test were utilized for the intergroup comparison. A statistically significant result was defined as one with a p-value of less than 0.05.

Results: A statistically significant difference between the mean ISQ reading in the pre-drilling and self-drilling group was observed, indicating higher stability of bone screws placed with the pre-drilling protocol. The primary stability of the buccal shelf screws decreased after placement, but the secondary stability remained stable.

Conclusion: Buccal shelf bone screws placed with a pre-drilling protocol depicted greater primary and secondary stability as compared to the self-drilling protocol, as depicted by the ISQ readings obtained. Resonance Frequency Analysis can be used as a valuable tool to assess the stability of buccal shelf bone screws.

Clinical relevance: The use of buccal shelf screws has increased tremendously over the past few years due to their myriad applications and have now become an essential part of an orthodontist's armamentarium. It is therefore essential for clinicians to be well-informed about all aspects of their use including insertion techniques. The results of this trial indicate that the pre-drilling protocol provides better stability and therefore treatment outcomes.